Home

To teach more about flying than how to steer an airplane; to take time with the students;
to offer them the priceless thing that is the ability to fly.– Richard Bach

Welcome to the Aviation Educator Hall of Fame (AEHOF). The guiding philosophy of this Hall of Fame is to select and recognize qualified nominees who, through extraordinary achievement and service, have made outstanding contributions to aviation education. The purpose of the Hall is to publicly honor those individuals who have played an important role in the development, advancement, and promotion of aviation education. The spirit of the Hall is embodied in the symbolism designed into the AEHOF logo, specifically:

The E6-B Flight Computer

The distinctive shape of the E6-B Flight Computer is emblematic of aviation education and remains instantly recognizable by generations of pilots more than 70 years after its introduction. Designed in 1940 by flight instructor and Naval Lt. Philip Dalton, the E6-B combines math, science, navigation, meteorology, and functional design into an elegant device. The E6-B became the standard for the U.S. Navy and Army and later, general aviation pilots. It is still available in its basic “whiz wheel” form as well as electronic versions, and has been incorporated into the bezel of many pilot watches. As a tribute to Dalton, Star Trek’s Mr. Spock was shown using an E6-B during two episodes of the 1960s sci-fi TV show.

Sadly, Dalton perished during a training flight from Anacostia Naval Reserve Air Base in June 1941; the E6-B and what it represents, however, are his enduring legacy.

The Torch of Knowledge

The Torch of Knowledge has long been a symbol of education and enlightenment. It has been incorporated into the seals of institutions of higher learning, military insignias, architecture, and the medical profession.

The Torch with Wings not only reinforces the aviation aspect of the Hall of Fame, but also pays homage to the insignia of the USAAF/USAF Technical Training Command, where the torch was described as “symbolic of learning … with technical education and flight training.” The Technical Training Command’s motto became Sustineo Alas, Latin for “I Sustain the Wings.” During WWII, this was popularized by the aircraft mechanic’s slogan, “Keep ‘em flying!”

The Wright Flyer

The first powered flight by the Wright Brothers was the dawn of aviation as we know it. The image of the Wright Flyer is iconic on multiple levels, representing years of meticulous work by the Wright’s as student pilots, designers, researchers, builders, inventors, innovators, and mechanics. The Wright Brothers went on to open the first flight school in the United States in 1910, and their school trained 119 individuals between 1910 and 1916.